Traveling this holiday season? You’re in good company: In 2011, an estimated 91.9 million Americans traveled 50 miles or more from home during the holiday season, according to the AAA.
For most individuals, traveling offers an exhilarating opportunity to break out of the mundane rhythms of everyday life and explore new sights, sounds and tastes. But for individuals who suffer from severe anxiety disorders, the mere thought of traveling may provoke intense fear, dread and even panic.
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“Travel constantly exposes you to new and different things, and comes with a range of unknowns and what-ifs—a potentially endless array of scenarios that can pose a threat to someone trying to keep their nerves under control by way of controlling their environment,” says Rita Anya Nara, author of the book The Anxious Traveler.
Rita knows firsthand how devastating it can be to live with an anxiety disorder. For years, Rita was paralyzed by severe anxiety that inhibited her from doing the things she loved. She struggled with numerous forms of anxiety disorders, including seasonal affective disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. One day, tired of passively sitting and watching life go by, Rita overcame her dread of the unfamiliar and hopped on a plane. To date, she has ventured to 38 countries and has largely conquered her debilitating anxiety symptoms.
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Brought to you by: Spry Living